Hurricane Milton ‘explodes’ into Category 5 storm as Florida braces for ‘life-threatening’ 180-mph winds: Live

WorldEnvironment
8 Oct 2024 • 12:25 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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A Florida mayor issued a stark warning that residents will die if they don’t evacuate as Hurricane Milton intensified to a Category 5 on Monday evening.

The potential “once in a lifetime” storm is bearing down on the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to remain “extremely dangerous” as it makes landfall in Florida by Wednesday, hitting the densely populated Tampa Bay area first.

With air pressure in the storm’s eye dropping to a near-record low 897 millibars and winds reaching 160mph, Milton is now the fifth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record.

“If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re gonna die,” Tampa mayor Jane Castor said on CNN. Hurricane Helene was a “wake-up call,” but Milton could be “literally catastrophic,” she said.

Pinellas County sheriff Bob Gualtieri warned locals to prepare for the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma, saying, “This is going to be bad. Everyone just needs to get out.”

Milton is racing towards areas already devastated by Hurricane Helene.

“There are some areas with a lot of debris... if hit by a major hurricane, it’s going to dramatically increase damage,” Florida governor Ron DeSantis warned.

Key Points

  • Milton rapidly intensifies to Category 5 hurricane
  • Mapped: Charting Hurricane Milton’s path as it heads for Florida
  • Hurricane Milton could become 'once-in-a-lifetime' storm, experts warn
  • DeSantis: Milton faster than Helene, expected to become Category 5 hurricane
  • Florida prepares for largest evacuation since 2017

Free Uber rides to Florida hurricane shelters

04:26

Io Dodds

Florida authorities are providing free Uber rides to and from storm shelters for anyone within counties under evacuation orders.

The state's Division of Emergency Management said on Monday evening that that people meeting those criteria can now activate the offer by adding the promo called MILTONRELIEF within the Uber app.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue warns barrier island access will be shut down Tuesday

04:00

Julia Musto

The Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department wrote on Facebook Monday that it access to the barrier islands, including Clearwater Beach, would be restricted to residents, business owners, employees who work on the beach, ride-share drivers and workers who are hauling debris.

On Tuesday at the same time, all access will be shut down.

“Take this time the next 24 hours to make your preparations. If you live in an evacuation zone, you need to evacuate,” the department said.

Milton forming a new eyewall, says expert

03:55

Io Dodds

Boston TV meteorologist Eric Fisher says that Milton is in the process of expanding its eyewall to create a bigger eye, which would have both helpful and harmful effects for human beings in its path.

That process may cause Milton to lose intensity, Fisher explained, but also could increase the amount of storm surge flooding.

Emergency Shoulder Use activated for evacuees

03:00

Julia Musto

If you stay you will die, says Tampa mayor

02:42

Io Dodds

The mayor of Tampa has issued a stark warning to residents, saying that if you remain in an evacuation zone "you will die".

That's according to Spectrum News producer John Park, and it's just one of many incredibly blunt assessments of Hurricane Milton we're now hearing from officials and experts.

"This is nothing short of astronomical. I am at a loss for words to meteorologically describe to you the storm's small eye and intensity," said local weatherman Noah Bergren.

He said the eye of the hurricane was "tiny" at merely 3.8 miles wide, and that the storm was "nearing the mathematical limit of what Earth's atmosphere over this ocean water can produce".

Milton may be worst storm to hit Tampa area in over a century

02:30

Julia Musto

Sarasota County will begin shutting off water services Tuesday morning

02:00

Julia Musto

At 10 a.m. EDT Tuesday, Sarasota County Public Utilities will begin shutting off potable water services and lift stations for wastewater services to customers on Siesta Key and Casey Key.

“This precautionary measure protects the community’s infrastructure, which may be inundated by storm surge and high winds,” the county said on Facebook. “Sarasota County Public Utilities team members are prepared to deploy when conditions are safe and restore water services to those who are impacted. As a reminder, when potable water services return, these areas will be under a boil water notice.”

Time lapse shows lightning flashing within the hurricane

01:50

Io Dodds

Here is stunning time lapse of lightning flashing within the swirling mass of Hurricane Milton, courtesy of Colorado State University’s CIRA weather research institute.

Harris says DeSantis is being ‘selfish’ after reports the governor is ignoring her calls ahead of Milton

01:40

Julia Musto

“Playing political games at this moment … It’s utterly irresponsible and it is selfish and it is about political gamesmanship instead of doing the job that you took an oath to do,” Vice President Kamala Harris said, speaking from Joint Base Andrews.

Air pressure drop makes Milton the fifth most intense Atlantic hurricane ever

01:25

Io Dodds

Air pressure in the eye of Hurricane Milton has fallen to a near record low of 897 millibars, the National Hurricane Center has said.

The agency said on X (formerly Twitter) about 20 minutes ago that the storm "poses an extremely serious threat" to Florida residents.

According to New Zealand meteorologist Ben Noll, that makes Milton the fifth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, stronger than 2005's devastating Hurricane Katrina at its peak.

It is only the sixth ever Atlantic hurricane on record to register a central pressure of below 900 millibars, he added.

(”hPa” in Noll’s tweet stands for hectopascals, an equivalent unit of measurement to the millibar.)

Harris hits ‘misinformation’ pushed by President Trump amid Helene, Milton response: It’s ‘extraordinarily irresponsible'

01:20

Julia Musto

“There’s a lot of mis- and disinformation being pushed out there by the former president about what is available, in particular, to the survivors of Helene ... It’s extraordinarily irresponsible,” Vice President Kamala Harris said Monday, speaking from Joint Base Andrews. “It’s about him. It’s not about you. And, the reality is that FEMA has so many resources that are available to folks who desperately need them.”

Social media videos, images show Floridians fleeing areas forecast to be impacted by Milton

01:00

Julia Musto

St. Petersburg officials warn storm surge from Milton could be greater than Helene’s

Tuesday 8 October 2024 00:30

Julia Musto

In St. Petersburg, officials warned residents flooding could be twice as great as during Hurricane Helene.

“Our community now faces an ever more daunting challenge,” Mayor Ken Welch said. “This is a powerful storm. More powerful than Helene with more potential storm surge.”

With reporting from The Associated Press

As Milton takes aim at Florida, why is Tampa Bay so vulnerable to hurricanes?

Tuesday 8 October 2024 00:00

Julia Musto

In 1921, the last time the eye of a major storm like Hurricane Milton struck Tampa Bay, the city was only home to a few hundred thousand Floridians.

Now, it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, with 3 million residents.

As Category 5 Milton storms toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa’s future comes into question.

The Associated Press has the latest: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/tampa-bay-ap-florida-national-hurricane-center-gulf-coast-b2625396.html

Mapped: Storm surge could reach up to 12ft in Tampa Bay

Monday 7 October 2024 23:43

James Liddell

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First alerts sent to Florida residents notifying them of hurricane and storm surge warnings

Monday 7 October 2024 23:30

Julia Musto

The first alerts notifying residents of Pinellas, Manatee, Pasco, Charlotte, Citrus and Hillsborough counties in Florida of a hurricane warning and storm surge warning went out via email, text message and phone call on Monday afternoon, according to messages received by The Associated Press.

The hurricane warning said the impacts of Milton could be “devastating to catastrophic.”

The alerts warned that sturdy buildings could suffer complete roof and wall failures, and that damage could make some areas “uninhabitable for weeks or months.”

With reporting from The Associated Press

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says Biden has approved ‘everything’ Florida has asked for

Monday 7 October 2024 23:21

Julia Musto

Ahead of hurricane strike, Floridians should have a plan, a supply kit and heed evacuation advice

Monday 7 October 2024 23:00

Julia Musto

Having a plan and an emergency kit before Hurricane Milton strikes is crucial and, heeding warnings to evacuate could be a life-saving decision, emergency officials said Monday.

Florida’s emergency management director, Kevin Guthrie, motioned to the ceiling at a briefing. The ceiling was just over 10 feet high; Guthrie used to it to illustrate how forecasts call for Milton to bring a storm surge higher than that — up to 12 feet along Florida’s west coast.

The Associated Press has the latest: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/kevin-guthrie-ap-people-hollywood-atms-b2625384.html

In pictures: Florida residents clear debris in preparation of Hurricane Milton making landfall

Monday 7 October 2024 22:44

James Liddell

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Joe and Jill Biden send message of hope to those impacted by Hurricane Helene

Monday 7 October 2024 22:30

Julia Musto

FEMA administrator continues pushback against false claims as Helene death toll hits 230

Monday 7 October 2024 22:07

Julia Musto

The head of the U.S. disaster response agency continued to push back Monday against false claims and conspiracy theories about her agency’s response to Hurricane Helene.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell pointed to the agency’s massive, collaborative effort, strongly urging residents in hard-hit areas to accept the government’s offer for assistance.

“We have thousands of people on the ground, not just federal, but also our volunteers in the private sector,” Criswell said at a news conference in Asheville, North Carolina. “And frankly, that type of rhetoric is demoralizing to our staff that have left their families to come here and help the people of North Carolina. And we will be here as long as they’re needed.”

The Associated Press has the latest: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ap-fema-asheville-north-carolina-roy-cooper-b2625414.html

Tampa International Airport to close from Tuesday morning

Monday 7 October 2024 21:42

James Liddell

Tampa International Airport will suspend all flights from 9am ET Tuesday, the airport said in a news release on Monday.

With Hurricane Milton expected to make landfall at Tampa Bay on Wednesday night, the airport says it will remain closed to the public until after the storm passes and any damage assessed..

Following its re-opening, the airport urged passengers to “please contact your airline for the latest flight information”.

It added: “TPA will announce if flight operations are affected by the storm, but airlines are responsible for their schedules.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gives an update on Milton preparation

Monday 7 October 2024 21:33

Julia Musto

Watch: Debris from Hurricane Helene could pose danger upon Milton’s landfall

Monday 7 October 2024 20:43

James Liddell

WH Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on DeSantis dodging calls from Harris: ‘It’s up to him if he wants to respond to us or not’

Monday 7 October 2024 20:30

Julia Musto

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to reports Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had refused to take calls from Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of Hurricane Milton.

“It’s up to him if he wants to respond to us or not,” she said. “But what we’re doing is we’re working with state and local officials to make sure we are ready to there for the communities that are going to be impacted. We are doing the job.”

Florida residents fill sandbags as Hurricane Milton approaches

Monday 7 October 2024 20:20

Julia Musto

Vice President Harris says she’s been briefed on Milton

Monday 7 October 2024 20:07

Julia Musto

Marco Rubio says NHC showed him ‘worst case’ Florida hurricane that was ‘almost identical to the Milton forecast’

Monday 7 October 2024 19:49

Julia Musto

Milton’s windspeed increase 90mph in under 24 hrs

Monday 7 October 2024 19:43

James Liddell

Hurricane Milton’s wind speeds have increased by 90 mph in less than 24 hours, according to data from the National Hurricane Center.

It makes it the Atlantics third fastest rapidly-intensifying storm on record, according to more than four decades of the NHC’s data.

“Rapid intensification” demands that a storm’s wind speeds increase 35mph in 24 hours – with Milton almost tripling that.

‘Food, water, fuel, medical supplies and Starlinks’ dispersed across Florida

Monday 7 October 2024 18:45

James Liddell

Biden approves Florida emergency declaration

Monday 7 October 2024 18:43

Julia Musto

President Biden said he approved an emergency declaration from Florida on Monday.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis: Nearly 9K cubic yards of debris removed from barrier islands before Milton

Monday 7 October 2024 18:00

Julia Musto

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Monday that officials and vendors must continue to clear debris from Hurricane Helene before Hurricane Milton makes landfall as soon as Wednesday night.

Thus far, he said, nearly 9,000 cubic yards have been removed from the barrier island of Pinellas County. The work would continue as long as it was safe to do so and local landfill and dump sites are required to remain open 24 hours a day to dispose of the debris.

“The state of Florida has marshaled unprecedented resources to help with debris removal. The Division of Emergency Management, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, and the Florida Highway Patrol have been activated and deployed to aid in this mission,” DeSantis said.

Joe and Jill Biden give joint address to Helene survivors: ‘Your nation has your back’

Monday 7 October 2024 17:45

James Liddell

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden gave a joint address on Good Morning America pledging their support to those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

“To the people of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,” Joe Biden says, before the first lady continues: “and Tennessee, Virginia and Alabama. Your nation has your back.”

Biden adds: “Moments like this, there are no red or blue states.”

“No matter how you vote, we help each other when disaster strikes. Because we are one United States of America,” Jill continues.

The president said that Federal Emergency Management Agency staff are knocking on doors of those impacted and offering financial aid.

“FEMA is knocking on doors, to sign up survivors in direct need of financial aid as many of them need it now. “I’ve directed my team to stay there 24/7 with you until this job is done.”

“There’s nothing we can’t do if we do it together, and we’re going to do it together. God bless you all,” Biden signed off.

Milton intensifies into a Category 5 hurricane

Monday 7 October 2024 17:23

Julia Musto

Milton has intensified into a powerful, Category 5 hurricane.

Biden declares state of emergency as Hurricane Milton races toward Florida

Monday 7 October 2024 16:42

James Liddell

President Joe Biden has declared a state-wide emergency across Florida as Hurricane Milton charges towards Tampa Bay, with it expected to make landfall on Wednesday night.

The president has ordered federal assistance from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support state, tribal and local response efforts, according to a White House statement issued on Monday.

They will attempt to alleviate “the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures,” the statement read.

FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer John Brogan has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Milton expect to grow in size with winds to slow as it makes landfall

Monday 7 October 2024 16:25

James Liddell

Milton is expected to grow in size as it makes landfall, despite winds predicted to slow, the National Hurricane Center Director Dr Michael Brennan said in a live update on Monday morning.

Hurricane Milton, which is currently situated in the Southern Gulf of Mexico, has sustained wind speeds of 155mph, with it expected to become a Category 5 hurricane.

“While we could see the peak winds come down a little bit, the storm is expected to grow in size as it nears landfall along the Florida west coast on Wednesday,” Dr Brennan said.

“It now extends inland places like Ocala, Orlando, the west of Lake Okeechobee, Pole County, Lakeland to the Cedar Key area.

“Everyone in this area is at risk of seeing damaging hurricane-force winds during Wednesday, into Wednesday night.”

Hurricane watches are expected to extend to the east coast of Florida later today, according to Dr Brennan.

Milton forecast to become Category 5 hurricane

Monday 7 October 2024 16:00

James Liddell

Milton is expected become a Category 5 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm currently has sustained wind speeds of 155mph, just 2mph slower than what the Saffir-Simpson scale defines as Category 5.

Hurricane Milton is currently 720 miles away from Tampa, where it’s expected to make landfall on Wednesday evening. Evacuation orders have been dispatched across Florida’s west coast.

‘No shortage of fuel,’ DeSantis says

Monday 7 October 2024 15:34

James Liddell

“There is no shortage of fuel at this time. The fuel is still coming in and being delivered to our ports,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said during an emergency press conference on Monday.

“We have 415,000 gallons of diesel, almost 390,000 gallons of gasoline and an additional 1.5m gallons of both diesel and gasoline that are on route to the state of Florida.”

“Fuel deliveries will continue” throughout today, he added.

DeSantis: ‘Milton already 10mph faster than Helene – and it’s going to strengthen’

Monday 7 October 2024 15:28

James Liddell

Ron DeSantis predicts that Hurricane Helene will continue to strengthen over the next 24 hours, with sustained wind speeds already 10mph faster than Hurricane Helene that slammed into Florida a week and a half ago.

Milton was upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane on Monday morning, with winds surpassing 150mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

“Milton is already 10mph faster than Helene was,” the Florida governor said during an emergency press conference.

“[It’s] definitely going to strengthen more from 150mph over the next 24 hours.”

DeSantis calls for ‘no more red tape’ and urges Floridians to clear up debris

Monday 7 October 2024 15:22

James Liddell

Ron DeSantis called for “no more red tape” and urged Florida residents to clear up debris ahead of Milton making landfall.

The Florida governor warned Floridians of the “additional damage from flying debris,” adding “you could end up having way worse damage because of that”

“We’ve made a huge dent in the debris, but there is a lot of it,” he said. “We need to go all day, all through the night; tomorrow, as long as possible.”

He added: “No bureaucracy, no more red tape, no more excuses about the debris.”

DeSantis ordered locks to be cut from landfill centers so residents could deposit debris

Monday 7 October 2024 15:18

James Liddell

Ron DeSantis said that locks have been cut off landfill centers after they closed their doors after being asked to stay open in order for people to deposit debris following Hurricane Helene – ahead of Milton making landfall on Wednesday.

“The gate was closed and no one was manning it, so we opened it and got it going,” the Florida governor said during a press conference on Monday.

‘Do it now’: DeSantis calls of Florida residents on the west coast to evacuate

Monday 7 October 2024 15:10

James Liddell

Governor Ron DeSantis has urged Floridians along the state’s west coast to assume that they will be told to evacuate.

“All these barrier islands, all these areas that would be susceptible to this storm surge that’s up and down the west coast of Florida, you should assume that there’s going to be some form of evacuation that’s going to be issued by your county officials,” he said during an emergency news conference on Monday morning.

“That is going to happen when you have the potential for storm surge of this magnitude,” DeSantis added. “You have time to execute your plan, but you’ve got to do it now,” said DeSantis.

Milton rapidly intensifies to Category 4 hurricane with 150mph winds

Monday 7 October 2024 14:51

James Liddell

Watch: DeSantis says ‘all hands on deck’ as Florida prepares for Hurricane Milton

Monday 7 October 2024 14:15

James Liddell

Mapped: Charting Hurricane Milton’s path as it heads for Florida

Monday 7 October 2024 13:30

James Liddell

Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida’s Gulf coast as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday bringing devastating winds, life-threatening storm surge and flash floods to communities already battered by Hurricane Helene.

Milton rapidly intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday, with sustained winds reaching a brutal 90mph, the National Hurricane Center announced.

James Liddell has the full story.

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Mapped: Charting Hurricane Milton’s path as it heads for Florida

US Air Force says Milton ‘rapidly’ intensifying after becoming Category 3 hurricane

Monday 7 October 2024 12:56

James Liddell

Biden briefed on Milton as he promises to stand with impacted communities

Monday 7 October 2024 12:45

James Liddell

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) preparations for Milton, as its anticipated to slam into Florida as a Category 3 hurricane mid-week.

“I have been briefed on Tropical Storm Milton as it strengthens across the Gulf of Mexico and the work my Administration is doing to preposition life-saving resources in advance of the storm,” Biden said in a White House statement on Sunday.

“I urge all residents in Florida to listen to local officials and make preparations as needed.”

He continued: “As these communities brace for potentially yet another catastrophic storm, and as part of my Administration’s solemn obligation to stand with impacted communities as they rebuild their lives, we will continue working hand-in-hand with local and state leaders – regardless of political party and no matter how long it takes.”

Biden is expected to attend another briefing on the federal government’s preparations for Hurricane Milton and response to Hurricane Helene this afternoon.

Just in: Milton rapidly intensifies to Category 3 hurricane

Monday 7 October 2024 12:15

James Liddell

Milton has rapidly intensified to a Category 3 hurricane with windspeed in the region of 120mph, marking a near-40mph jump in a matter of hours, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.

Milton intensifies to Category 2 hurricane

Monday 7 October 2024 11:30

James Liddell

Milton rapidly intensified to a Category 2 hurricane on Monday morning, with sustained winds surpassing 100mph, the National Hurricane Center announced.

It is currently situated 750 miles away from Tampa Bay on Florida’s west coast, where it is expected to make landfall on Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane.

Hurricane Milton is tracking towards the northwest, moving “erratically” through the Southern Gulf of Mexico as it hurtles towards the west Florida Peninsula coast.

Satellite images show Milton as it carves a path towards Florida

Monday 7 October 2024 11:15

James Liddell

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Florida’s Big Bend to face greatest flash flood risk

Monday 7 October 2024 10:45

James Liddell

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‘Life-threatening’ storm surge could reach 12ft across parts of coastal Florida

Monday 7 October 2024 16:46

James Liddell

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Trump claims Biden and Harris are giving hurricane relief money to ‘illegal migrants’

Monday 7 October 2024 10:30

James Liddell

Donald Trump has condemned President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s response to Hurricane Helene, claiming that relief money is being given to immigrants.

The former president has been a vocal critic of the Biden Administration’s response to the the storm which slammed into Florida’s Big Bend last month, taking more than 220 lives and causing hundreds of billions of dollars of damage.

Upon his return to Butler, Pennsylvania, for a rally, the former president falsely claimed that people affected by Hurricane Helene will only received $750 from the federal government.

Now, Trump has taken to Truth Social and claims the Biden Adminstration’s rescue operation is the “worst” in history.

“The the GREAT people of North Carolina are being stood up by Harris and Biden, who are giving almost all of the FEMA money to Illegal Migrants in what is now considered to be the WORST rescue operation in the history of the U.S,” Trump said on Truth Social.

“On top of that, Billions of Dollars is going to foreign countries! NORTH CAROLINA HAS BEEN VIRTUALLY ABANDONED BY KAMALA!!! DROP HER LIKE SHE DROPPED YOU - VOTE FOR PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP. MAGA2024!”

Milton intensifies as Category 1 hurricane races towards Florida coast

Monday 7 October 2024 10:04

James Liddell

Florida to be hit with tropical storm-force winds as early as Tuesday

Monday 7 October 2024 09:15

James Liddell

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‘Everyone just needs to get out’: Pinellas County Sheriff issues warning to residents

Monday 7 October 2024 08:50

James Liddell

The Pinellas County Sheriff issued an urgent warning for residents to “get out” as the region continues its recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene.

The National Hurricane Center predicts that Milton will become “an intense hurricane with multiple life-threatening hazards” and will likely make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast by midweek, as the storm charts its path eastwards as a Category 1 hurricane, according to the NHC’s latest update.

It comes less than two weeks after Helene made landfall at Florida’s Big bend as a devastating Category 4 hurricane on September 26, taking more than 220 lives as it carved its path north through the southeast.

Now, Pinellas County Sheriff has issued a warning ahead of Milton’s prospective landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday.

“This is going to be bad. That’s all you need to know,” Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said during an emergency press conference on Sunday afternoon. “Everyone just needs to get out.”

He continued: “In the past, mandatory evacuation orders have been issued and bars stay open. Res

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